Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 25th, 2012 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Sea To Sky.

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Light SW winds. Alpine temp -8. A few cm snow.Thursday/Friday: Light SW winds. Alpine temp -7. No precipitation on Thurs; light snow possible on Friday.

Avalanche Summary

A natural cycle to size 2.5 was reported over the past few days. Wind slabs have also been triggered by explosives and skiers. Natural avalanche activity is likely to decrease over the next few days, but human-triggering remains possible.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs which formed during last weekâ€™s strong winds are now buried by 10-30 cm of new snow and may be found in alpine and open treeline terrain. New cornices exist. In sheltered areas below treeline, loose snow is slowly becoming more consolidated. Three surface hoar layers in the upper/mid snowpack appear to be gaining strength. In general, the mid-pack is strong.Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer has become unlikely to be triggered. However, professionals are still mindful of thin snowpack trigger areas or large loads which could wake it up again, leading to a very large avalanche.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Deep wind slabs may not be obvious now that they are buried under new snow. Be alert for changes in snow resistance and back off if you encounter any shooting cracks or whumphs.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 26th, 2012 2:00PM